The Story of Thor (Beyond Oasis)

[JaySevenZero]

Here's where you can contribute your thoughts and opinions for The Story of Thor (Beyond Oasis) for potential inclusion in the forthcoming podcast.

A friendly reminder that where the feedback for the podcast is concerned, we love it - but keeping it brief is appreciated. We do want to include a breadth of opinions where appropriate, but no-one wants a discussion podcast that’s mostly reading out essays. Better to save yourself time and cut to the chase if you can.

[jkeysgamer]

Growing up, I was a Nintendo kid through and through. Although I knew without a doubt that the Super Nintendo was the superior gaming console, I did enjoy the occasional trip to a friend's house to sneak a play on his Sega Genesis. Games like Sonic the Hedgehog, and the superior Mortal Kombat port - I'll admit - instilled in me a small bit of envy. Rest assured though, for my RPG and adventure title needs, the SNES was the only choice... or was it?

When I first discovered Beyond Oasis, it was like stumbling upon a whole new genre. Here was a game that was 2 parts Legend of Zelda, 1 part Streets or Rage, with just a pinch of Secret of Mana...and it was on the Genesis!? I needed to check this out. Once I got my hands on a copy, it did not disappoint. An overhead Zelda-like adventure with brawling mechanics provided me with hours of enjoyment. Well, under 10 hours to be exact, which was my only gripe with the game. That, and the fact that there are few - if any other games out there quite like it.

I'll always give Beyond Oasis credit for being the game that opened my eyes to the hitherto un-noticed magic that the Genesis had to offer. More please!

[Alex79]

I just started this game last night via the Switch Online Megadrive collection.

First impressions are that it looks really nice, lovely big sprites and some nice animation, even if movement is a little jerky. The game seems very simplistic, but I'm happy with that at the moment, being stuck in a bit of a gaming rut - this is the perfect tonic. Bright colours and sound effects that sound like they've come straight from the Streets Of Rage games (I'm aware it's the same composer?)

I'd describe this so far as a Megadrive equivalent of a Zelda-lite-lite. I'm aware it's not very long, and I've cleared three short dungeons already so not sure how much is left, but this game is a fine example of why I love the Cane and Rinse show. Relatively obscure but easily accessible, 16 bit era, fun to play along with - this game has everything I want so far!

[Kinketsu]

Great memories of this game, although I only repeatedly rented it rather than own it. As a Mega Drive boy, my main experience of Zelda was the first game on the NES and Links Awakening on the Game Boy. Compared to those, the graphics and more aggressive combat system of this game were a revelation. As someone who had just got into anime a few years before, the (extensive) opening cutscenes were right up my alley. Then the game starts proper and you see the big, beautiful sprites and lush colourful scenery. Slapping rat thugs around with a variety of moves and powers with fantastic, almost beat em up type sound effects never got old. While it might not be as complex and involved as some of the Zelda games, it was going for something else, something very Sega in a way!

[Jobobonobo]

This was always a game that interested me as I had no idea a Mega Drive equivalent of Zelda existed. When I heard Cane and Rinse was doing a show I figured now would be a good opportunity to try it out. I was having quite a good time with it. I enjoyed that as well as weapons you can punch and kick enemies Streets of Rage style which makes it stand out from Nintendo’s iconic series. Going through the dungeons was fun, especially using the water/fire spirits to beat enemies and solve puzzles. Overall, I quite liked this game until I came across a brick wall that I could not overcome.

I was at the beginning of the Wall Fortress where I had to go through a section where it continuously shoots fire. Apparently, the fire slows down when you beat enough enemies. So, I was doing that for a bit and sure enough it was slowing down allowing me to pass. Except it does not because there is also a wind that is pushing you backwards and the enemies bum rush you out of nowhere even if you get past the wind and fire. This sends you flying back and you need to fight them off. You try again, waiting for the fire to stop spewing out while fighting against the wind. But by taking it slow, the enemies will just bum rush you again setting you back to step 1. I have tried again and again and no progress was being made. It was completely miserable and this nonsense destroyed my enthusiasm for pushing on with the rest of the game. Many games, even some of the most beloved will have what I call their Water Temple moment. These are certain sections, be it a tedious side quest, punishing level, unfair boss, etc., that are overall just the nadir of the experience which you put up with to experience the rest of the game. With this however, I was just hitting a brick wall and the longer I kept at it and continuously failing the more I began to outright resent this game. This is especially a shame as I was really liking Thor up to this part, but I have a full-time job and my free time is a lot more limited these days. I see no reason to fill such time with something that is frustrating and miserable to me. Challenge is fine and something I usually enjoy but I need to see some progress to keep me interested. This awful section just annoyed me, so I dropped it.

Maybe I was too hasty. It is likely the game gets really good after this section. But I will never find out, life is too short to put yourself through something you absolutely despise for a possibility of things being better. I have read too many mediocre novels and tolerated shoddy gameplay in the past, expecting thing to get better and for the most part, not being rewarded for wading through the muck. Sorry Story of Thor, I wanted to like you, but you are not worth my sanity. I might try you again when I hit retirement.

TWR: Wall Fortress sucks

[ratsoalbion]

As far as Mega Drive Zelda-likes go, this is much less of one than Soleil/Crusader of Centy.

[Jobobonobo]

Oh I remember seeing clips of this on YouTube ages ago, completely forgot this existed. Very Zelda-like indeed! Might be one to check out in the future. Hope there is no similar points of frustration like I experienced with Thor!